The
region
of
Navarre
is an
ancient
land
that
shares
a
130km
frontier
with
France
and is
bordered
by
Rioja,
the
smallest
region
of
Spain.
There
are 9
crossing
points
into
France
and as
a
border
region,
Navarre
has
had
its
fair
share
of
conflicts
and
signs
of
this
are
evident
everywhere,
with
ruins
of
castles
and
fortified
buildings.

Romans,
Christians,
Muslims
and
Jews
have
all
made
their
mark
on the
region
and
its
architecture
is as
diverse
as its
landscape.

Here
the
jota,
an
energetic
dance
is
well
known,
as is
the
Fiesta
de San
Fermin,
a
festival
when
bulls
run
through
the
streets
of
Pamplona,
Navarre's
capital
and
major
city.

If you
intend
to
stay
in
Pamplona,
the
prices
for
accommodation
during
the
festival
can be
four
times
the
norm
and
the
rooms
will
be
full,
well
in
advance.
The
bull-running
starts
on
July
6th
and
goes
on
until
July
14th
and
attracts
thousands
of
visitors.
The
bulls
run
every
day at
8am.
Tickets
for
the
bullfights
will
be
impossible
to
obtain
except
from
the
ticket
touts
who
charge
ridiculous
prices.
Bars
are
open
24
hours
a day.